Materials for Repairing Sheet Vinyl Window Panes

Tools

• To replace the window panes in your sheet vinyl windows, you will first need to gather the right tools for the job. One of the primary tools you'll need is a putty knife, which is used for scraping and prying. Sandpaper is also needed to smooth edges and remove any leftover residue. Caulk and a caulking gun are used to seal the window panes in place and weatherproof against the elements. A heat gun may be needed to soften old sealant. A paintbrush is used to apply the final glaze.

Window Panes

• Replacing the sheet vinyl window panes is not possible without the actual panes themselves. You will need to ensure that the panes are the right size for the window that you will be replacing. The type of vinyl window pane you use can be integral to the savings you see on your energy bill. The thickness of the pane, coupled with other factors will ultimately determine your savings.

Glaze

• Also integral to energy savings, the glaze that you select for your vinyl windows will play a role in helping to reflect the ultraviolet rays of the sun back outside of the home. The glaze is a light yet transparent material that lets light through while providing this reflective protection. Glaze is applied as the last material on the window. It is applied with a paintbrush and overlapped on the caulk and the window pane itself.

Gas

• Part of the reason for the energy efficiency of double-paned vinyl windows is the thin layer of insulating gas between the windows. Argon and krypton are among the two most common of these insulating gases. If you plan on replacing your vinyl window panes, one thing that you will have to keep in mind is that this will break the seal and release the gas into the air. This cannot usually be replaced because it has been specially installed at the factory.